Inbred corn line NP 2034

ABSTRACT

An inbred corn line, designated NP 2034, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line NP 2034, to the plants of inbred corn line NP 2034 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing inbred line NP 2034 with itself or with another corn plant. The invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing inbred line NP 2034 with another corn line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive corn inbred linedesignated NP 2034 and to hybrids made by using NP 2034 as a parent.

Corn (Zea mays) is a valuable and important field crop. Thus, plantbreeders are continually developing new and superior corn inbred linesfor production of high yielding, agronomically sound hybrids. The goalof the plant breeder is to combine in a single variety or hybrid animproved combination of desirable traits from the parent, inbredgermplasm. These traits may include maximization of yield, resistance todisease and insects, tolerance to drought, heat and other environmentalstresses. These traits are governed by a complex genetic system thatmakes selection and breeding of an inbred line challenging.

Corn hybrid development requires the development of homozygous inbredlines, the crossing of these lines, and the subsequent evaluation ofthose crosses. Pedigree, backcross, and recurrent selection breedingmethods are used to develop inbred lines from breeding populations.Breeding programs combine the genetic backgrounds from two or moreinbred lines or various other genetic sources into breeding pools fromwhich new inbred lines are developed by self pollination and selectionof desired phenotypes. The new inbred lines are crossed with otherinbred lines, and hybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determinewhich have commercial potential.

Once the inbred parents that give a superior hybrid are identified, thehybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely as long as inbred parenthomogeneity is maintained. Corn hybrids may be either single crosshybrids, produced when two inbred lines are crossed to produce the firstgeneration (F1) progeny; double cross hybrids, produced from four inbredlines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F1 hybrids arecrossed again (A×B)×(C×D); or three-way cross hybrids produced fromcrossing a single cross (A×B) to a third inbred line C. Numerousreferences are available on the topic of corn breeding and hybrid seedcorn production. Those skilled in the art of corn breeding andproduction are well aware of techniques and methods for the developmentof inbred corn lines and corn hybrids. However, while many of thetechniques and methods are known, breeder care and expertise must beused in the selection of breeding material for resulting yield increaseand superior agronomic traits. Reference is made particularly to Cornand Corn Improvement, Third Edition, ed. G. F. Sprague and J. W. Dudley,American Society of Agronomy Monograph No. 18, particularly chapters 8and 9, the substantive content of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred corn line,designated NP 2034. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbredcorn line NP 2034, to the plants of inbred corn line NP 2034 and tomethods of producing a corn plant comprising the crossing of inbred cornline NP 2034 with itself or another corn line.

This invention further relates to hybrid corn seed produced by crossingthe inbred line NP 2034 with another corn inbred line. More specificallythe invention extends to hybrid corn seed produced by planting inpollinating proximity seeds of inbred corn line NP 2034 and a secondinbred line having a genotype different from NP 2034; cultivating cornplants resulting from said planting until time of flowering;emasculating the flowers of plants of one of the inbred lines; allowingcross pollination to occur between the inbred lines; and harvestingseeds produced on the plants of the inbred line. The hybrid plants grownfrom the seed produced as stated above.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples that follow a number of terms are used;therefore, to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims the following definitions are provided.

RK=Round Kernels: the percentage of kernels that do not pass through a13/64 slotted screen.

HE=Husk Extension: the length (cm) of the husk past the ear tip atmaturity.

PRM=Predicted Relative Maturity. This trait is based on the harvestmoisture of the grain. The relative maturity rating is based on a knownset of checks, and is referred to as the Minnesota Relative RatingSystem.

MST=Harvest Moisture. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture ofthe grain at harvest.

STK (BR)=The percentage of plants broken below the ear at harvest.

YLD=Yield; bushels per acre. The actual yield of the grain at harvest(bu/a) adjusted to approximately 15.5% moisture.

RT=Number of plants lodged (leaning from vertical but not broken).

Pit. Ht.=Plant Height; The length of the plant to tassel tip (cm).

HU=Heat Units; ##EQU1##

HUS=Heat units from emergence to 50% of plants in silk.

HU to pollen=Heat units from emergence to 50% of plants in pollen.

HU to pollen shed=Heat units from 10% to 90% pollen shed.

Ear Ht.=Ear Height. The measurement from the ground to the top developedear node attachment measured in cm.

INTL=Late Season Intactness - the degree to which portion of the plantabove the ear remains intact and erect at harvest. The rating is basedon a scale 1 to 9 wherein 1 is most intact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Inbred corn line NP 2034 is a yellow dent inbred line with superiorcharacteristics and is best suited as a male in crosses for productionof first generation (F1) corn hybrids. NP 2034 is best adapted to theNorth central Cornbelt Area of the United States. NP 2034 can be used toproduce hybrids from approximately 115-125 PRM days based on theMinnesota Relative Maturity Rating System for harvest of grain. Inbredline NP 2034 has demonstrated good combining ability with familiesderived from Iowa Stiff Stalk, for example, B73 and related lines.

Inbred corn line NP 2034 was derived from the crossing LH123, HoldensFoundation Seed to Northrup King Co. Proprietary line NP J8606 followedby a backcross to NP J8606. Northrup King Co. J8606 has PVP Cert. No.8900226. Self-pollination and standard pedigree ear-to-row breeding werepracticed within the above backcross population for seven generations inthe development of NP 2034. During the development of the line, crossesof segregating families were made to inbred testers to evaluatecombining ability. Inbred line NP 2034 can be reproduced by plantingseeds of the line, growing the resulting corn plants underself-pollination or sib-pollination conditions with adequate isolationand then harvesting the resulting seed. No variant traits have beenobserved or are expected in NP 2034.

The inbred line has been evaluated at numerous research stations acrossthe Northern United States Corn Belt and Canada. Inbred line NP 2034 hasshown uniformity and stability for all discernible characteristics asdescribed in the following variety description. The description is basedon data collected primarily at St. Joseph, Ill. and Phillips, Nebr. on amaximum of 4 replications in 1995. In interpreting the colordesignations herein, reference is made to the Munsell Glossy Book ofColor, a standard color reference to describe all color choices.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION FOR                                           INBRED LINE NP 2034 and Mo17                                                                                Mo17                                                               NP2034     Dent                                            Type:              Dent       Northern                                        Region Best Adapted:                                                                             North central                                                                            and Central                                     ______________________________________                                        A.  Maturity:                                                                     HU to Silk (HUS):  1447 (70 days)                                                                           1615 (76 days)                                  HU to pollen:      1435 (69 days)                                                                           1474 (71 days)                                  HU to pollen shed: 75.8 (3 days)                                                                            168 (6 days)                                    Plant Characteristics:                                                        Plant height (to tassel tip) (cm):                                                               199.5      203                                             Length of top ear internode (cm):                                                                16.5       14                                              Ear height (to base of top ear                                                                   72.5       77.5                                            internode) (cm):                                                              Number of tillers: 0.25       0                                               Number of ears per stalk:                                                                        1.4        1                                               Cytoplasm type:    Normal     Normal                                          Anthocyanin of brace roots:                                                                      Moderate   Faint                                       C.  Leaf:                                                                         Color of second leaf above the                                                                   Green-yellow                                                                             Green-yellow                                    ear (at anthesis)  (5GY 4/6)  (5G 4/5)                                        Leaf angle (from 2nd leaf above                                                                  10° 25°                                      ear at anthesis to stalk above leaf)                                          Number of leaves-above top ear                                                                   5          5.2                                             (mature plants):                                                              Marginal waves:    2.5        3.8                                             (Scale: 1 = none to 9 = many):                                                Width (widest point of ear node                                                                  8          9.4                                             leaf) (cm):                                                                   Sheath Pubescence: 3.5        2.5                                             (Scale 0 = none to 9 = many):                                                 Longitudinal creases:                                                                            2.25       1                                               (Scale: 1 = none to 9 = heavy):                                               Length (ear node leaf) (cm):                                                                     75.6       69.2                                        D.  Tassel:                                                                       Number of primary  5.15       5.4                                             lateral branches:                                                             Branch angle of secondary primary                                                                15° 32.5°                                    lateral branch at anthesis:                                                   Anther color:      Green-yellow                                                                             Green-yellow                                                       (2.5GY 8/8)                                                                              (5Y 8/6)                                        Glume color:       Red        Green-yellow                                                       (5R4/6)    (5GY6/6)                                        Bar glumes:        absent     absent                                          Tassel length (from top leaf                                                                     43.4       46.2                                            collar to tassel tip):                                                    E.  Ear (Husked ear data except                                                   where stated otherwise):                                                      Length (cm):       14.2       18                                              Weight (gm):       96.6       107                                             Midpoint diameter (mm):                                                                          38.65      35.6                                            Kernel rows:       11.8 Distinct                                                                            10.6 Distinct                                   Row alignment      Straight   Straight                                        Silk color (3 days Red        Green-Yellow                                    after emergence):  (SR 5/6)   (2.5GY 8/8)                                     Husk extension:    Medium     Medium - Long                                   Taper of ear:      Average    Average                                         Husk color (fresh)                                                            25 days after 50% silking:                                                                       Green-yellow                                                                             Green-yellow                                    Husk color (dry)   (5GY 7/8)  (5 GY 7/8)                                      65 days after 50% silking:                                                                       Yellow     Yellow                                                             (5Y 8/8)   (5Y 8/6)                                        Shank length (cm): 5.25       5.0                                         F.  Kernel (Dried):                                                               Size (from ear mid-point):                                                    Length (mm):       7.5        10.25                                           Width (mm):        8.75       8.0                                             Thickness (mm):    3.5        4.75                                            Shape grade (% rounds):                                                                          33.2       54.0                                            Aleurone color:    Homozygous Homozygous                                                         Yellow     Yellow                                          Endosperm color:   Yellow-orange                                                                            Yellow-orange                                                      (7.5YR 7/10)                                                                             (7.5YR 6/10)                                    Endosperm type:    Normal starch                                                                            Normal starch                                   Gm weight/100 seeds (unsized):                                                                   27.4       23.25                                       G.  Cob:                                                                          Diameter at mid-point (mm):                                                                      23.2       20.7                                            Color:             Red        Red                                         H.  Agronomic Traits:                                                             Stay Green, 65 days after anthesis                                                               4.5        8                                               Scale 1 = worst                                                               to 9 = excellent):                                                            Root lodging, 65 days after                                                                      0                                                          anthesis (%):      0                                                      I   Disease Resistance:                                                           Northern leaf blight:                                                                            5          3                                               Exserohilum turcicum                                                          Grey leaf spot:    5          3                                               Cercospora zea-maydis                                                         Southern leaf blight:                                                                            5          3                                               Bipolaris maydis:                                                         J.  Insect Resistance:                                                            European Corn Borer                                                           (Ostrinia nubilialis)                                                         1st generation:    5          3                                               2nd generation:    5          5                                           ______________________________________                                         The above disease and insect resistance description is based on a scale o     1-9; wherein 1-3 is considered susceptible, 4-5 intermediate, 6-7             resistant and 8-9 highly resistant.                                      

With respect to publicly available inbred lines, NP 2034 most closelyresembles Mo17. However, these lines differ in a number ofcharacteristics. The lines differ in plant height, ear height, earlength and number of kernel rows. While NP 2034 is shorter than Mo17 andhas lower ear height, it has more kernel rows compared to Mo17. Othercharacteristics between NP 2034 and Mo17 are summarized in Table 1.

With respect to proprietary Northrup King inbred lines, NP 2034 mostclosely resembles its parent J8606 and may be distinguished from itsparent by numerous characteristic including some of the characteristicslisted in Table 2 below. NP 2034 may also be distinguished from NP 899,another closely related proprietary inbred line.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        1994 Variety Comparison Data                                                  Line   Plt ht (cm)                                                                            Ear Ht.  Silk (HU)                                                                            Pollen (HU)                                                                           INTL                                  ______________________________________                                        NP2034 227      83       1452   1421    5.0                                   NP899  240      89       1490   1460    6.0                                   J8606  234      81       1507   1477    3.8                                   #reps  10       10       14     14      10                                    LSD (0.5)                                                                            18       12       43     41      3.0                                   ______________________________________                                         The data are taken from Webster City, IA; Napoleon, OH; Phillips, NE;         Washington, IA; St. Joseph, IL; Henderson, KY; and Greenville, NC        

In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can alsobe examined. There are many techniques available for the analysis,comparison and characterization of plant genotype and these includeisozyme electrophoresis, restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLPs), randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) sequencecharacterized amplified regions (SCARs) and amplified fragment lengthpolymorphisms (AFLPs). While many of the techniques are used RFLPs havethe advantage of revealing an exceptionally high degree of allelicvariation in corn. Moreover there are a tremendous number of markersavailable to use. Reference is made to Mumm and Dudley, A Classificationof 148 U.S. Maize Inbreds: I Cluster Analysis based on RFLP's, CropSci., 34:842-851 (1994) and Lee, M "Inbred Lines of Maize and TheirMolecular Markers" The Maize Handbook (Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc.1994 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Both inbred lines NP 2034 and Mol7 were subject to a various RFLP probesand the results indicate that the two inbreds have 47 out of 96 lociwith different alleles. Additionally, RFLP relationship data indicatethat NP 2034 is distinguished from other closely related inbred lines,for example NP 2034 differs from NP 899 by 18 out of 79 loci.

This invention is also directed to methods for producing a corn plant bycrossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant,wherein the first or second corn plant is a corn plant of the inbredline NP 2034. However, both first and second parent corn plant can comefrom the inbred corn line NP 2034. Therefore any methods using NP 2034are part of this invention including self-pollination,backcross-pollination, hybrid breeding and crosses to populations. Itmay be desirable to use a male-sterile (either cytoplasmic or nuclear)female parent to prevent self-pollination. If the female is notmale-sterile, then either physical or chemical steps may be taken toensure that self-pollination does not occur. Any plants produced usinginbred corn line NP 2034 as a parent are within the scope of thisinvention including any plant produced by the use of cells, protoplastsor tissue from NP 2034.

Specifically NP 2034 produces hybrids that are competitive yielding. Ingeneral, hybrids have good early season vigor, high test weight grainand good stalk quality.

The techniques used to obtain the corn hybrid seeds and plants of thisinvention are conventional in the seed industry and are well known tothose skilled in the art. The two parent lines are planted inpollinating proximity to each other in alternating sets of rows;however, any convenient planting pattern that allows for the freetransfer of pollen is acceptable. The plants of both inbred lines areallowed to grow until the time of flowering. At flowering, tassels areremoved from all plants of the female parent by hand, machine or othermeans. Natural cross-pollination is allowed to occur. Ears from thefemale plants are harvested to obtain novel F1 hybrid corn seeds of thepresent invention. F1 hybrid corn plants of the invention are obtainedby planting seeds harvested from the female plant.

An example of a competitive yielding hybrid of this invention is thatproduced by the cross of PVP Certificate No. 8800032×NP 2034. The hybridproduced is a 120 Minnesota Relative Maturity single cross hybrid. Thishybrid most closely resembles the commercially available Northrup KingCo. hybrid N7992. The hybrid produced by the cross PVP Cert. No8800032×NP 2034 has significantly yielded more than N7992 and issignificantly better for Southern Corn Leaf Blight resistance. Table 3below illustrates various characteristics of PVP Cert. No. 880032×NP2034 compared to other similar hybrids.

                                      TABLE 3                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Combined Location and Year Performance Data                                   (1994, 1995; 48 environments; 115-125 RM Markets)                                     YLD                                                                              MST                                                                              STK (BR)                                                                           RT DE    Plt Ht                                                                           Ear Ht.                                        Hybrid  (bu/a)                                                                %-                                                                            %-                                                                            %-      #  HUS                                                                              cm   cm SCLB                                                    __________________________________________________________________________    PVP Cert.                                                                             154                                                                              18.8                                                                             8    4  1  1349                                                                             247                                                                              112 2.6                                        No. 8800032 x                                                                 NP 2034                                                                       N7590   149                                                                              17.3                                                                             8    4  0  1343                                                                             243                                                                              98  3.0                                        N7992   145                                                                              18.2                                                                             7    4  0  1408                                                                             261                                                                              118 3.9                                        N7333   143                                                                              17.9                                                                             8    2  0  1373                                                                             236                                                                              100 4.3                                        Pioneer 3394                                                                          143                                                                              16.5                                                                             5    2  0  1387                                                                             235                                                                              108 4.2                                        Pioneer 3245                                                                          155                                                                              17.8                                                                             7    3  1  1433                                                                             247                                                                              99  3.3                                        Trials with data:                                                                     48 48 28   14 6  4  9  9   1                                          LSD     6  0.4                                                                              4    3  0  19 11 7   1.2                                        __________________________________________________________________________     SCLB = Southern Leaf Blight, resistance descrption is based on a scale of     1-9; wherein a rating of 1 = best resistance, 9 = most susceptible.      

As used herein the term plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts,plant cell tissue cultures including that from which corn plants fertileor otherwise can be regenerated, plant calli and plant cell clumps, anddifferentiated forms of plants such as, but not limited to embryos,pollen, stamen, anthers, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, stalks,roots, shoots, plantlets, silks and kernels. In this context, theinvention also includes a corn plant regenerated from any NP 2034 corncell, protoplast and tissue mentioned above and having the same genotypeas NP 2034.

Methods of cell and tissue culture and regeneration are well known inthe art and described for example in "Plant Tissue Culture Manual:Fundamentals and Application", Ed. K. Lindsey, Kluwer (1991) and inGreen and Rhodes, "Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize", Maizefor Biological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association,Charlottesville, Va., 1982, pp. 367-372), which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

As is well known corn can be put to a wide variety of uses not only aslivestock feed but also for human consumption of corn kernels and as araw material in industry. Both grain and non-grain portions of the plantare used as a livestock feed for swine, cattle and poultry. In the foodindustry corn is used in wet and dry milling. In wet milling there isthe separation of the germ, hull gluten and starch. Germ is used toproduce corn oil and germ cake for feed. Corn starch may be packaged forhuman consumption or used in food products such as sauces, gravies,puddings, sweeteners, syrups, and baking powder. Other nonedible usesinclude textiles, paper, adhesives, cosmetics, explosives, corn binders,laundry purposes and agricultural formulations. Dry milling is used toproduce breakfast foods, grits, cornmeal and corn flour. Other uses ofcorn include fuel, in the form of fuel alcohol or ethanol; seed;alcoholic beverages and construction.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Deposits of at least 2500 seeds of inbred NP 2034, has been madeunrestrictedly available to the public via the American Type CultureCollection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. 20852 USA. The deposit corresponds toATCC Deposit No. 209539, and was made on Dec. 10, 1997. The seeds arefrom stock maintained by Northrup King since prior to filing thisapplication or any parents thereof. The deposit of inbred corn line NP2034 will be maintained in the ATCC depository, which is a publicdepositary, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recentrequest, or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever, islonger, and will be replaced if it ever becomes nonviable during thatperiod. Additionally, with respect to Plant Variety ProtectionCertificates received and applied for, Applicant does not waive anyinfringement of its rights granted under this patent or under the PlantVariety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2312 et seq.).

It is claimed:
 1. An inbred corn line designated NP 2034, the seeds ofwhich have been deposited as ATCC Accession No.
 209539. 2. A corn plantor parts thereof of inbred corn line designated NP 2034 of claim
 1. 3. Acorn plant having all the genetic, physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of the plant of claim
 2. 4. Seeds of the inbred cornline NP 2034 of claim
 1. 5. Pollen of the inbred corn line NP 2034 ofclaim
 1. 6. A tissue culture comprising regenerable cells of the plantaccording to claim 2, wherein regenerant plants obtainable from saidcells possess all of the physiological and morphological characteristicsof inbred line NP
 2034. 7. A corn plant regenerated from the cells orprotoplasts of a culture of corn tissue and a genotype capable ofexpressing all the physiological and morphological characteristics ofthe corn plant of claim 2, the seed of which has been deposited andhaving ATCC Accession No.
 209559. 8. Hybrid seed produced by crossingplants of inbred corn line designated NP 2034, the seed having ATCCAccession No. 209539 and plants of another inbred corn line having agenotype different from corn line NP
 2034. 9. Hybrid seed of claim 8wherein the corn line NP 2034 is the male parent.
 10. Hybrid corn plantsgrown from the seed of claim
 8. 11. A tissue culture of regenerablecells of the corn plant of claim 10, wherein regenerant plantsobtainable from said cells possess all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the corn plant of claim
 10. 12. A firstgeneration hybrid corn plant produced by growing hybrid corn seed,wherein said seed is produced by crossing a first inbred parent cornplant with a second inbred parent corn plant wherein said first orsecond inbred corn plant is the corn plant of claim 2 and harvesting theresultant hybrid seed.
 13. Hybrid corn seeds produced by the processof:a. planting in pollinating proximity seeds of inbred corn line NP2034 having ATCC Accession No. 209539 and a second inbred line having agenotype different from NP 2034; b. cultivating corn plants resultingfrom said planting until time of flowering; c. emasculating said flowersof plants of one of the corn inbred lines; d. allowing cross pollinationto occur between said inbreds, and e. harvesting the seeds produced onsaid plants.
 14. Hybrid corn plants produced by growing the seeds ofclaim
 13. 15. A first generation (Fl) hybrid corn plant produced by theprocess of:a. planting in pollinating proximity seeds of inbred cornline NP 2034 having ATCC Accession No. 209539 and a second inbred linehaving a genotype different from NP 2034; b. cultivating corn plantsresulting from said planting until time of flowering; c. emasculatingsaid flowers of plants of said second inbred line; d. allowing crosspollination to occur between said inbreds; e. harvesting the seedsproduced on said plants of the second inbred line and f. growing aharvested seed of step e.
 16. A corn plant regenerate from the cells orprotoplasts of a culture of corn tissue and a genotype capable ofexpressing all the physiological and morphological characteristics ofthe corn plant of claim 15.